Video: Kentucky vs. Clemson Gator Bowl football preview

Kentucky takes on Clemson in college football’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. ESPN has the noon kickoff.

I talked with Chapel Fowler of The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, about the Tigers. Clemson was an un-Clemson-like 4-4 before winning its final four games to finish the regular season 8-4. Coached by Dabo Swinney, the Tigers were No. 22 in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

I also talked with Jon Hale of the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com about the Wildcats, who finished the regular season 7-5. Mark Stoops’ team is coming off a 38-31 upset win at Louisville in its regular season finale.

This story was originally published December 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM.

John Clay

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-472-4218

John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky, he covered UK football from 1987 until being named sports columnist in 2000. He has covered 20 Final Fours and 42 consecutive Kentucky Derbys. Support my work with a digital subscription

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

(859) 414-6776

Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year. Support my work with a digital subscription